Toledo City Council Committee of the Whole: Final 2026 Budget Presentations & Proposed Amendments

On January 29, 2026, the Toledo City Council Committee of the Whole met in Council Chambers to hear final budget presentations for the Mayor's Office and City Council, and to discuss proposed amendments to the 2026 budget. The meeting lasted over two hours and included public testimony.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donnie Miller (Executive Director, Neighborhood Health Association) expressed strong support for the city budget, praising the vibrancy grant program (Brandon) for helping transform a building on Front and Main streets, and highlighting the City's responsiveness to health disparities and infant mortality.
• Richard Arnold (Concerned citizen) expressed concern about the omission of the ADA Coordinator from the Mayor's Office organizational chart, calling it a federally mandated position. He also urged council to review attendance and effectiveness of the Toledo-Lucas County Council on Disabilities and noted accessibility issues in Council Chambers.
• Jennifer Jacobs (Executive Director, Leading Families Home) spoke in support of the city budget, emphasizing the importance of Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding for housing stabilization and family homelessness services. She noted that nearly 50% of families calling 211 for shelter are experiencing homelessness for the first time.
• Julie Imbry (Executive Director, Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board) advocated for full support of the Department of Housing and Community Development's budget, stating that warming centers funded by the city have engaged 60 to 80 people per night who were not previously in the shelter system, and argued that investing in housing saves downstream costs in health care and law enforcement.
• Joe Cordella (Vice President, Historic South Initiative) highlighted that the city has invested approximately $1.8 million in the Old South End via CDBG and HOME funding, enabling rehabilitation of more than 20 homes and stabilization of vacant properties.
• Patricia Hernandez (Acting Executive Director, Legal Aid of Western Ohio) advocated for full funding of the Right to Counsel program, warning that a proposed $75,000 cut (nearly 30%) would be catastrophic. She noted the program has helped 969 households in over 1,000 eviction cases, with 90% of cases resulting in prevented or delayed evictions.
• Veronica Martinez (Managing Attorney, Legal Aid of Western Ohio) provided a handout detailing program outcomes, emphasizing that the program costs about $900 per case compared to $35,000 annual community cost for chronic homelessness.
• Rebecca Bundy (Citizen) urged council to reverse the $75,000 cut to Right to Counsel, arguing it is a vital frontline defense against homelessness and that landlords often use eviction to quell complaints.
• John Frank (Mortgage Lender, Key Bank) spoke in support of the Home at Last down payment assistance program, noting his group helped nine families secure housing last year and currently has four more in the pipeline.
• Faye Smith (Community Lender, Fifth Third Bank) also supported the Home at Last program, stating that down payment assistance is often the key barrier for otherwise creditworthy and income-qualified homebuyers.
• Morgan Thomas Fiatlum (Grant Manager, Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity) reported that 11 new homes were built in 2025 via city investment, and the organization has completed over 500 roof replacements since 2016 with $2.2 million in city CDBG funding, leveraging $3.6 million in additional funds.
• Stephanie Henry (on behalf of Ruff Mortgage) affirmed that the Home at Last program has enabled many homebuyers who otherwise could not purchase a home.
• Noah Woods (Staff Attorney, Fair Housing Center) argued for fully funding Right to Counsel, stating that landlords are extracting wealth and destabilizing housing, and urged council to take other actions against predatory out-of-state investors.
• Joe Sierra (President, Toledo Firefighters Local 92) expressed appreciation for the proposed increase of 10 fire recruits, but warned that the fire department's $750,000 effective operational budget is insufficient given the need for new stations, apparatus (ambulances costing $500,000, engines $1 million, ladder trucks $2.5 million), and staffing. He noted that replacing one station every five years would take 90 years to replace all stations, and urged council to consider a joint fire-police station at Jackman and Sylvania.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Office Budget Presentation: Deputy Mayor Abby Arnold presented the proposed 2026 budget for the Mayor's Office, highlighting a new organizational chart, the administration's strategic plan to grow Toledo to 300,000 residents by 2040, and a flat position count from 2025 to 2026 with one position eliminated and replaced by a leadership team role. The general fund budget increase is due to contractual pay raises and a higher-paid leadership position; supplies and services are flat or slightly down. The sole contract is a federal lobbyist at $75,000. Councilmembers asked about the lobbyist line item, the source of a doubling of services from $172,000 (2024) to $330,000 (2025), and the mayor's travel budget. Councilman Sarantou noted that expenditures have nearly doubled from $1,052,000 in 2022 to $1,961,000 for 2026, with labor costs more than doubling from $585,000 to $1.2 million. Deputy Mayor Arnold attributed the increase to the addition of the grants team and other positions over time, and committed to providing a detailed breakdown by referral.
• City Council Budget Presentation: Chief of Staff Lucille Frank presented City Council's proposed 2026 budget, highlighting 2025 accomplishments: 155 city works service requests entered, 60 hearings held, 45 community events, and 49 resolutions. The District Improvement Program (DIP) has legislated over $3.5 million since 2019, with 75% of 2025 projects being parks-related. The proposed budget includes a 7.95% reduction ($225,686) from 2025 levels, achieved by cutting one vacant FT position (legislative research analyst) and reducing supplies, services, and advertising. Personnel costs increase due to raises and health insurance. The general fund budget totals $2,612,649, with $300,000 in capital funds for DIP (translating to $50,000 per district). Councilmembers praised the transparency and detailed line-item breakdown.
• Proposed Budget Amendments: The committee discussed multiple amendments:
  • Mayor's Amendments (2):
    1. Moving approximately $103,000 (wages and fringes) for an administrative position from Building Inspection to Code Compliance within Housing and Community Development.
    2. Correcting an error that omitted budgeted FT positions in the Road and Bridge area, impacting the Street Construction Maintenance and Repair fund ($1.4 million), Special Assessment fund ($63,000), and CIP fund ($170,000).
  • Council Amendments:
    1. Councilmember Gaddis: Landmarking and historic preservation work (originally proposed in mid-2025 budget adjustment, RFP completed).
    2. Council President Williams: Reinstatement of a legislative research analyst position (cut from the council budget) to support legislative work, housed under the Clerk of Council.
    3. Councilmember McPherson: $50,000 for the 5th annual Jazz Fest (two-day event, free to public, honoring Art Tatum). She clarified the funding would come from ARPA interest, not the general fund.
    4. Councilmember Meldon (presented by Councilmember Driscoll): $500,000 increase for the Vibrancy Initiative (facade improvement and white box grants), raising the total to just over $1 million. Brandon spoke about the program's success: 36 white box projects completed, only 3 vacant, and high private-sector leverage. The program is considered one of the most effective economic development tools.
    5. Councilmember Meldon: $500,000 for a community police substation to replace the closed D. Michael Collins station. Councilmember Hobbs explained discussions about locating it at Jackman and Sylvania (near four district boundaries), possibly leasing space instead of buying a building. Staffing would include a person available at least 6 hours a day and possibly housing Community Service Officers (CSOs). Chief Kral and Deputy Mayor Arnold indicated the $500,000 would likely cover initial lease/rent costs, with annual rent payments continuing. Councilmember Martinez raised concerns about strategic planning and sustainability.
    6. Councilmember Meldon: Increase DIP per-district funding from $50,000 to $100,000. Several district councilmembers (Morris, Gaddis, Martinez, Hobbs) supported the increase, arguing $50,000 does not buy much (park improvements cost $150,000-$300,000) and noting DIP money has funded playgrounds, pickleball courts, bathrooms, traffic calming, and a hawk light. Councilmember McPherson asked for transparency on current DIP balances; Ms. Frank provided balances by district (ranging from $0 in District 5 to $177,823 in District 3). Council President Williams noted the DIP program will transition from Economic Development to Council.
    7. Councilmember Morris: $1,620,000 for ShotSpotter subscription service (contract June 2026-June 2027). She noted that in 2025, there were 1,620 shooting incidents in the covered three square miles, but only 923 resulted in a 911 call. The service provides real-time alerts and precise location data.
    8. Councilmember Hobbs: Adding 10 police recruits (from 25 to 35) in the upcoming academy class. Chief Trandley stated that retirements are expected to be around 40 this year, and this addition would help maintain strength. Councilmember Martinez asked about sustainability and alternatives like drones ($250,000/year each). Chief Trandley noted that while drones are a force multiplier, they do not replace the minimum number of officers needed for 911 calls and proactive policing. Councilmember McPherson asked if the three-quarter percent safety levy revenue could cover the cost; Finance Director Campbell responded that the levy is already factored into the general fund budget, which still has a structural deficit.
    9. Councilmember Hobbs: Adding 10 fire recruits to the upcoming class (from 20 to 30). Chief Armstrong stated that optimal staffing is 600 or more, while current uniform staffing is 583. Retirements are expected to be about 20 in 2026, but 67 firefighters have more than 25 years of service. Elizabeth Kral (Deputy Mayor) noted that the mayor does not support the fire recruits amendment. Councilmember Martinez asked if technology could offset staffing; Chief Armstrong said minimum staffing (118 per day) is mandated by contract, and while drones help with scene information, they cannot replace line firefighters.
    10. Council President Williams: Reinstatement of legislative research analyst (same as amendment 2, presented earlier).

Key Outcomes

• The committee heard all budget presentations and proposed amendments. No final votes were taken at this meeting. Council was charged with reflecting on the amendments, considering cuts where possible, and preparing for a final vote on the budget. Councilmembers discussed the need for careful oversight of taxpayer dollars.
• The Mayor's Office and City Council budgets were presented and discussed in detail. Questions were deferred for follow-up via referral (detailed breakdowns) from Deputy Mayor Arnold.
• The administration agreed to add the ADA Coordinator to the organizational chart.
• Multiple public speakers advocated for preserving or increasing funding for the Right to Counsel program, the Home at Last program, and the Department of Housing and Community Development.
• The meeting was adjourned without specific next steps on the amendments, but council intends to vote on each amendment separately at a future date.